George Stacy
George Stacy is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, primarily in association with Spider-Man. He is Gwen Stacy's father and the police captain from the New York City Police Department. Stacy is a strong supporter of Spider-Man, often defending the superhero when others accuse Spider-Man of criminal acts, and thus serves as a foil personality to another Spider-Man related character, J. Jonah Jameson. Stacy's death in The Amazing Spider-Man #90 has been described as a turning point in the Spider-Man saga, signaling to readers that permanent changes could happen in the story, and that the supporting cast was not safe. Stacy was resurrected in a cloned body by Ben Reilly in Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy, with the embodiment of Death herself confirming in Ben Reilly: The Scarlet Spider that all clones Ben created of deceased people had their souls intact on being brought back, before Stacy was killed again by the Carrion Virus.
The character has been adapted from the comics into several forms of media, including animated series and feature films. In live-action, the character was played by James Cromwell in the film Spider-Man 3, by Denis Leary in Marc Webb's The Amazing Spider-Man film duology, and by Shea Whigham in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.
Publication history
George Stacy first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #56, created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Romita Sr.Fictional character history
George Stacy is a respected former police member in the NYPD. He is the father of Gwen Stacy, husband of Helen Stacy and the brother of Arthur Stacy. Even in retirement, Stacy kept up with the happenings at the department - and had taken a keen interest in Spider-Man. John Jameson calls Stacy out of retirement to assist in the return of a device called the Nullifier - which could render any electrical or mechanical apparatus inoperative - that Doctor Octopus had tricked an amnesiac Spider-Man into stealing.After safely securing the weapon, Stacy interviews Peter, believed to have been held captive with Doctor Octopus and Spider-Man. After the interview, Stacy reveals to Peter that he had spent time studying the career of Spider-Man, and that he is glad to have met Peter, known for photographing the wall-crawler on numerous occasions.
Identifying himself as a strong supporter of Spider-Man, Stacy wishes to see the wall-crawler redeemed in the public eye. He also takes an instant liking to Peter, and openly encourages the growing bond between Peter and Gwen. Shortly thereafter at a dance club which employs Mary Jane Watson, Stacy is put under a hypnotic trance through a rigged camera operated by Mary Jane who took photos of him unaware that these actions were aiding Wilson Fisk. Stacy is placed under additional brainwashing by the camera's inventor, Dr. Winkler.
Despite Spider-Man's efforts, George returns programmed to follow the Kingpin's directions and steals police records for the Kingpin while Spider-Man's automatic camera captures the theft. Peter gave the photos to J. Jonah Jameson, hopeful that this apparent betrayal of the Stacy family would help prove George's innocence. While George and Gwen attempt to flee, they are kidnapped by the Kingpin's men and held captive at one of Norman Osborn's labs where Dr. Winkler worked. While Spider-Man battles the Kingpin, Osborn arrives and tackles the Kingpin's henchmen. Though the Kingpin flees and Winkler is apparently killed, the Stacys are rescued. Osborn's testimony to the police exonerates George Stacy.
Captain Stacy later begins to suspect Peter and Spider-Man were the same person. After a feverish Peter admitted to being Spider-Man before his friends including Stacy, he asks the Prowler to imitate Spider-Man so Peter and Spider-Man can be seen together. However, this does not fool Stacy.
Called into action one night, Stacy watches Spider-Man battle Doctor Octopus on a rooftop high above the city. As the two battle, chunks of concrete dislodge from the roof and rain on the spectators below. Spotting a child standing under the falling masonry, Stacy shields the boy at the cost of his life.
During the "Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy" storyline, Ben Reilly resurrects George Stacy along with Gwen to convince the latter to work with him as his business partner at New U Technologies. When Doctor Octopus pulls a switch which activates the Carrion virus in all of the clones and causes them to start rapidly decaying, including George and Gwen, George starts to deteriorate in Gwen's arms. He tells his daughter to keep Spider-Man safe while she can before dying once more.
Other versions
1602
An alternate universe variant of Captain Stacy appears in Spider-Man: 1602. This version is a passenger of the Mayflower and a former member of the Royal Navy.House of M
An alternate universe variant of George Stacy appears in "Spider-Man: House of M". This version is a former police chief and a personal friend of Peter Parker, though the latter is soured after George discovers Peter's diary and ramblings that allude to his death on Earth-616.Marvel Adventures
An alternate universe variant of George Stacy appears in Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #54. This version is younger and has light brown hair. Upon discovering Spider-Man's secret identity, he calls on him for support on some of his cases.Spider-Gwen
An alternate universe variant of George Stacy from Earth-65 appears in Spider-Verse and Spider-Gwen.Spider-Geddon
Two alternate universe variants of George Stacy appear in Spider-Geddon:- On Earth-91918, George Stacy is a bartender and associate of Spider-Ben.
- On an unidentified Earth, George Stacy acquired Spider-Man's powers, dons a homemade black suit with white stripes, and operates as "The Spider" to secretly aid his fellow police officers in capturing criminals.
Ultimate Marvel
Ultimate Universe
An alternate universe variant of George Stacy appears in Ultimate Spider-Man #16. This version became Mysterio instead of a police officer before being killed by the Maker's Council.In other media
Television
- A character loosely based on George Stacy named Ned Stacy appears in Spider-Man, voiced by Len Carlson. This version is Mary Jane Watson's uncle.
- George Stacy, with elements of his Ultimate Marvel counterpart, appears in The Spectacular Spider-Man, voiced by Clancy Brown.
- * In Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, George is revealed to have been killed sometime after the events of the series.
- George Stacy appears in the Ultimate Spider-Man episode "Return to the Spider-Verse", voiced by Robert Clotworthy.
- George Stacy appears in the Marvel Rising franchise, voiced by Steven Weber.
- George Stacy appears in Spidey and His Amazing Friends, voiced by Scott Porter.
Film
- George Stacy appears in Spider-Man 3, portrayed by James Cromwell.
- George Stacy appears in The Amazing Spider-Man, portrayed by Denis Leary. This version is younger and does not approve of Spider-Man, considering him to be a menace. He is later killed by the Lizard while helping Spider-Man thwart the former.
- * Hallucinations of George appear in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, portrayed again by Leary.
- * In July 2015, Leary said that he was attached to reprise his role in The Amazing Spider-Man 3, where George would have been resurrected.
- The Earth-65 incarnation of George Stacy makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
- * The Earth-65 incarnation of George Stacy appears in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, voiced by Shea Whigham. Additionally, a Spider-Man: India-inspired alternate universe variant named Inspector Singh makes a non-speaking cameo appearance.